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Contemporary art collectors expect Peter Max acrylic to bring $100K

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. – Two works of art are expected to fetch $80,000 to $100,000 at an Feb. 25. 2012 antiques auction in Florida. Approximately 400 quality lots of fine artwork, decorative art and antique Russian works will cross the auction block at at Elite Decorative Arts.

Large acrylic painting on canvas of a reclining woman on a settee with flowers by Pop Art icon Peter Max ($80,000-$100,000).

The first of the two top lots is a large acrylic on canvas rendering of a reclining woman on a settee with flowers by iconic American artist Peter Max (b. 1937). The 60-inch by 73-inch work is signed upper right and the reverse (verso) side states, “Copyright Peter Max 1992 #1127).”

The other work is an original oil on canvas by American artist Franz Kline (1910-1962). The abstract design with four black stripes was executed circa 1958-1960 and was signed lower right. It measures 12 inches by 20 inches and is matted and framed.

Original oil on canvas painting of an abstract design with four black stripes, by American artist Franz Kline (est. $80,000-$100,000).

The other lot consists of a pair of 18th century French dore bronze-mounted red marble urns ($25,000-$35,000). Each urn is finely crafted, with red marble bodies and base clad with gilded bronze decorations depicting two lion busts with hanging lion fur. Each one is about 20 inches high by 11 1/2 inches wide and the combined weight of the two urns is about 75 pounds.

Collectors of fine Russian works will be interested in an Imperial Russian enameled silver and agate boar’s head cup with cabochon ruby jewels set for eyes and the Faberge Cyrillic mark with double-headed eagle ($40,000-$50,000). The 7 1/2-inch tall cup has 88 silver purity marks and comes in a handsome fitted wood presentation box.

Two Russian lots have identical presale estimates of $30,000-$40,000: The first is an Imperial Russian enameled silver and agate kovsh bowl, magnificently designed throughout, with scrolled designs and holding the Faberge mark to the bottom of the handle. The bowl has three cabochon cut ruby jewels set to the handle and front, is 4 1/2 inches in height and weighs 38.9 troy ounces.

The second is an antique Russian silver and enamel kovsh bowl made around 1900, having the Moscow town mark and holding the Orest Fedorovich Kurliukov maker marks (plus 84 Russian silver and town marks on the bottom). The 7 1/4-inch tall bowl features beautiful enamel miniature depictions of a man and a woman presenting items with a building in the background.